Building Trust

In Business, Politics, Relationships, and Life

Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores

In Building Trust, Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores argue that trust is not something that simply exists from the beginning, something we can assume or take for granted; that it is not a static quality or "social glue." Instead, they assert that trust is an emotional skill, an active and dynamic part of our lives that we build and sustain with our promises and commitments, our emotions and integrity.

Building Trust

In Business, Politics, Relationships, and Life

Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores

Description

In business, politics, marriage, indeed in any significant relationship, trust is the essential precondition upon which all real success depends. But what, precisely, is trust? How can it be achieved and sustained? And, most importantly, how can it be regained once it has been broken? In Building Trust, Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores offer compelling answers to these questions. They argue that trust is not something that simply exists from the beginning, something we can assume or take for granted; that it is not a static quality or "social glue." Instead, they assert that trust is an emotional skill, an active and dynamic part of our lives that we build and sustain with our promises and commitments, our emotions and integrity. In looking closely at the
effects of mistrust, such as insidious office politics that can sabotage a company's efficiency, Solomon and Flores demonstrate how to move from naïve trust that is easily shattered to an authentic trust that is sophisticated, reflective, and possible to renew. As the global economy makes us more and more reliant on "strangers," and as our political and personal interactions become more complex, Building Trust offers invaluable insight into a vital aspect of human relationships.

Building Trust

In Business, Politics, Relationships, and Life

Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores

Table of Contents

PREFACEINTRODUCTION1. TRUSTING TRUSTTrust on TrialAlternatives to Trust: Fear, Control, PowerDistrust: "Paranoia" and CynicismBasic TrustTrusting Strangers: The Global SocietyTalking about TrustBuilding Trust2. UNDERSTANDING AND MISUNDERSTANDING TRUSTHow We Misunderstand TrustSimple TrustBlind TrustTrust and Reliance: The Mechanization of TrustWhom Can You Trust?Two Virtues: Trust and TrustworthinessConditional TrustBeyond CompetenceTrust as Medium: The Most Insidious Misunderstanding3. AUTHENTIC TRUSTFrom Simple Trust to Authentic TrustAuthentic TrustTrust as EmotionTrust as MoodTrust as Background and as "Medium"/>Self-Trust, Self-ConfidenceKnowing Self-TrustEmotional Self-TrustBreaches and Betrayals of TrustTrust, Hope, and ForgivenessAuthentic Trust and Leadership: Disclosing New WorldsCONCLUSION: BUILDING AUTHENTIC TRUSTNOTESBIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX

Building Trust

In Business, Politics, Relationships, and Life

Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores

Author Information

Robert C. Solomon is the Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Business and Philosophy at the University of Texas, Austin. His books include A Short History of Philosophy and Business Ethics, both published by OUP. Fernando Flores is Presidente, Fundación Chile (a Chilean non-governmental organization) and Chairman and CEO of Business Design Associates, Inc.

Building Trust

In Business, Politics, Relationships, and Life

Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores

Reviews and Awards

"This is a book about trust that you can trust to be comprehensive, creative, and interestingly iconoclastic. Solomon and Flores argue that trust sustains all forms of human relationships. They claim that without trust--Hobbes would have been right--life would be nasty, brutish, and short! This concise book alters and adds to the debate on trust, and is a gift and a challenge to its readers."--Al Gini, Associate Editor, Business Ethics Quarterly

"Trust is easy to break, hard to build, and more important than ever. Our increasingly fluid, network economy depends on trusting relationships. Solomon and Flores offer valuable insights into the subtle dynamics of trust. It's not as simple as you might think, but their treatment of the topic is lucid and intelligent."--Jay Ogilvy, Co-founder and Managing Director, Global Business Network